Outdoor Lighting in Doña Ana County, NM (2026)
2 rules for unincorporated Doña Ana County, New Mexico.
Verified from official government sources
Dark Sky Rules
Doña Ana County requires every outdoor lighting fixture in new development to be fully shielded, and caps commercial lamps at 250 watts HID, about 1,600 lumens. Residential lighting must be shielded so the lamp or its glow isn't visible past the property line, all to protect the rural night sky under the Unified Development Code's public lighting standards.
Doña Ana County Outdoor Lighting Shielding Rule
Some RestrictionsDoña Ana County Code § 350-405B(1)(a)-(b)
All lighting installations shall be designed and installed to be fully shielded except as exempted below and commercial lighting shall have a maximum lamp wattage of 250 watts HID (or approximately 1,600 lumens). Residential lighting shall be shielded such that the lamp or the lamp image is not directly visible outside the property perimeter.
Light Trespass & Shielding
On-site lighting for buildings, lawns, and parking areas in unincorporated Doña Ana County must be designed so it does not shine or cause glare onto a neighboring property, building, public street, or vehicle, under UDC § 350-506D.
Outdoor Lighting Glare Rule, Doña Ana County
Some RestrictionsDoña Ana County Code § 350-506D
D. Lighting. All on-site lighting of buildings, lawns and parking areas shall be designed so as not to shine or cause glare onto any adjacent property or building or to cause glare onto any public street or vehicle thereon. (1) All light standards shall comply with NMSA 1978 § 74-12, Night Sky Protection.
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